The UCLA Bruins men's volleyball team is putting together one of the most remarkable seasons in recent college volleyball history. Ranked No. 1 in the nation, the Bruins have stormed to an 11-0 record to open the 2026 campaign, their best start since the 2016 season, and they are showing no signs of slowing down.

The centerpiece of UCLA's early-season dominance came on January 29 against No. 13 Ohio State, when the two programs combined to produce one of the most extraordinary sets ever played in NCAA volleyball. The second set lasted a staggering 58 minutes and featured 17 set points before UCLA finally prevailed 48-46. The 94 combined points shattered the previous NCAA men's volleyball record of 88 points in a single set, established in 2021 during a match between BYU and Grand Canyon. Senior setter Andrew Rowan sealed the historic set with an ace, and the Bruins went on to sweep the Buckeyes 3-0 with set scores of 25-21, 48-46, and 25-20.

But UCLA's defining moment of the young season may have come on February 6, when the Bruins traveled to face No. 2 Long Beach State, the reigning national champions, in a top-two showdown that lived up to every ounce of its billing. Long Beach State came out firing, taking the first two sets 25-16 and 25-22, and appeared on the verge of handing the Bruins their first loss. The defending champions even built a five-point lead in the third set, putting themselves on the cusp of a sweep.

That is when UCLA flipped a switch. The Bruins clawed back to take the third set 25-22, then dominated the fourth set 25-19 before delivering a decisive fifth-set performance. In the final frame, UCLA hit an extraordinary .529 while holding Long Beach State to a dismal -.062 hitting percentage, cruising to a 15-10 victory to complete the reverse sweep. Senior outside hitter Zach Rama led the charge with 21 kills, while Sean Kelly contributed 14 kills. Rowan orchestrated the offense with 45 assists and fittingly clinched the match with a game-winning ace, the same way he had ended the record-breaking set against Ohio State.

The win handed Long Beach State its first loss of the season and firmly established UCLA as the team to beat in 2026. The Bruins continued their perfect run on February 13, sweeping No. 17 Cal State Northridge 3-0 at Pauley Pavilion to push their record to 11-0.

Both Rowan and Rama have been named to the AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List, recognition that reflects their outsized contributions to the team's success. Rowan's ability to run the offense and deliver in clutch moments has been a constant theme, while Rama's attacking prowess has given the Bruins a reliable weapon against every opponent they have faced.

With a showdown against No. 2 Long Beach State scheduled for February 20 at Pauley Pavilion, the Bruins will have another chance to prove their mettle against elite competition. If their early-season form is any indication, UCLA is building something special in 2026, a season that could culminate in the program's pursuit of yet another NCAA championship to add to its record collection of 21 titles.